Improvement in stockings



UNIT-nn STATES Y` EMAnUnL nAnMoN, on wAsnlNeToN, DISTRICT on COLUMBIA.

'IN `STOCKINGS..

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,570, dated August18, 1863; antedatrd March 12,1863.v

To all whom it 1 1tay1c`once'r: Y Be it known -that I, EMANUEL HARMON,of Washington, in` thecounty of Washington, District of Columbia, haveinvented an Improvement in the Manufacture of Stockings; and Ido'he'reby declare that the following is a fu1l, clear, and'exlctdescriptionof the prin? 'ciple orcharaoter which distinguishes it fromall other things. before known or used, and of the usual manner ofmaking, modifying, and using the same, reference beingr had to theannexed drawing.

1 My invention consists in the preparation of stockings with a covering'ot' buckskin, kid,

or other leather, or anyh'arder or tougher material thanthat of whichthe stocking is made, so as to protect those portions of the stockingsfrom the undue vfriction towhich they are subject by the operation ofwalking 4 with them on the footwith shoesorhoots. I

The drawing. representsa stockingv the heels and toes of which are lthusincase-d.

It is universally kno-wn that 'the heels and tces'of stockings are firstworn out, vand that unless immediately darnedthe stocking thus mutilatedwill have to -he discarded before the body of. it is'aected in theleast: AThe. leather' or indurated heels and toes protect those por-Iionsof the socks from the double friction toV whichvthey are subjectedby the pressure of thevfeet which they inclosel against the shoes orboots in the act of walking.- They will- -probably increase the capacityof wear and tear of a pair of. stockings twofold, if not more, whiletheenpensewill be less than onehalf the original cost of apair .ofstockings.

These indurated orleather heels I 'attach to the stockings in theprocess of manufacture.

`I amawarethat I presentino new material for the nianufactu; e ofstockings or ccvtrfng.; for the feet, .of whatever name; and I ain alsoaware that it lis a' common right to use the yvarious,materials in allconvenient .combinations, .as soft leather has often been used for thelining of boots and shoes and for thelegs o r for the lfeet ofstockings, at option, :and I do not make any claim'in conict with t' eel commonlrghts; huh the improvement I have invented presents thesepeculiarities: First,

it adapts the more enduring material to the parts of the stocking mosturgently requiring 4protection'from pressure second, it removes' allfriction from the woven or knitted .stook.v

ing and establishes it between the'softleather and the boot or shoe,neither of. which can be :materially injured from such cause; and,

thirdly, and .what .is ot' the greatest importance, wholly protects thetoes and heelsof the-wearer from the formation of corns, bun- `ions, andeverydescriptio'n of callosity by which civilized man is so muchafflicted in complying` with'the prevailing fashions .of

bootsAV and' shoes. Therefore,l disclaiming' alt title to the simplecombination ofthe materials used, and relying upon the preciseadaptation andutility 0f my invention,

lclainlf -v As an improved article ofnlanufacture,

.stockings made `of any textile material, ,and

covered at the `heels -and toes with ilexjible leather or itsequivalent, substantially as described'. p l l 1 In testimony whereoflhave hereunto signed vmy name before two subscribing witnesses; l IE.'IIAlltthIOIL' Witnesses: Y

Wim-H. HARRISON, 1 fr. YIRGINrUs HARLERTON..

